Theater Takes ‘Big Fish’ to Webutuck Elementary
Millbrook’s theater students wrapped up their production of Big Fish at the Chelsea Morrison Theater last week, but they couldn’t resist one more opportunity to perform some of their favorite songs from the show. So, on Wednesday, about half of the cast took a bus with Theater Director Elaine Lifter to nearby Webutuck Elementary School to perform for an excited group of children.
At the school, they were joined by fellow Big Fish cast member Isabelle Fedele, a Millbrook faculty kid who attends Webutuck Elementary. Together, they performed for a large crowd of children and their teachers in the school’s gym. Before bursting into song, the Millbrook students took turns explaining what the theater means to them:
“Theater is a powerful way to express yourself. When we sing and dance, we share feelings and ideas and community. Music helps us show what is in our hearts. Movement helps us tell a story without words. When we are part of a play, musical dance recital, or concert, we find ways to connect with each other and also celebrate what makes us each unique.”
The group performed three songs from the play, singing a cappella. Led by Andrew Stambaugh ’26 and Darvin Gjoni ’29, they opened with “Be the Hero,” which included a few flying fish—much to the delight of the young audience. Emily Brien ’28 then took the lead on “Magic in the Man,” which was followed up by a rousing rendition of “Little Lamb from Alabama.”
Isabelle sang and danced along with the high school students, and she even got to perform her big scene from the show. Despite the pressure of performing in front of her entire school, she delivered her lines flawlessly.
Tommy Zhang ’29 closed the show with a hip-hop dance. Needless to say, the children were impressed by his athletic performance, and audible cries of “Wow” from the wide-eyed youngsters rang out in the gym.
This isn’t the first time Ms. Lifter has taken her students on the road to perform for younger children. Her improv class has also been to Webutuck Elementary, Dutchess Day School, and Millbrook Early Childhood Education Center, performing scenes they created from children’s books.
The adorable audiences at MECEC, DDS, and Webutuck Elementary are always thoroughly entertained and perhaps also inspired. Some in the audience may one day point back to these shows as the spark that ignited their own passion for creative performance—possibly even on the stage at Millbrook School!
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